DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM
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DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Texas Instruments TI-20
| Date of introduction: | 1979 | Display technology: | LCD |
| New price: | $33 | Display size: | 8 (5 + 2) |
| Size: | 5.3" x 2.9" x
0.35" 134 x 74 x 9 mm3 |
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| Weight: | 2.9 ounces, 82 grams | Serial No: | |
| Batteries: | 2*LR44 | Date of manufacture: | wk 41 year 1980 |
| AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | Italy | |
| Precision: | 11 | Integrated circuits: | TP0326 |
| Memories: | 1 | ||
| Program steps: | Courtesy of: | Stefan Klaes |
This
European TI-20 repeated an approach "invented" two years ago. Just like the neat TI-15 based on a fully loaded TI-30,
this rare TI-20 is based on the TI-38.
First we should remember the TI-38. This odd calculator was based on
the TI-35 and added some conversion functions for
the removed statistical capabilities.
And the TI-20 dropped these conversion
functions! The result is the least capable member of all the slimline calculator
series.
Simply by comparing the designation of the integrated circuits of the calculators you'll get the first members of the slimline family:
| • TP0320 (CD3201)
TI
Investment Analyst • TP0320 (CD3202) TI-30-II • TP0321 TI-50 • TP0322 TI-Business Analyst-II • TP0323 TI-53 • TP0324 TI-35 • TP0326 TI-38 and TI-20 |
Dismantling
the TI-20 reveals a small surprise: The mold of the housing is identical to the
TI-38 and the keyplate covers three empty spaces for additional keys.
Even
the keyboard holds the full array of 40 keys in 8 rows by 5 keys.
One
owner of the rare TI-20 on the right discovered the hidden functions borrowed from the TI-38 and simply drilled three
holes into the metal faceplate above the keyboard.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, January 6, 2002. No reprints without written permission.